Rental nightmares in France

Hi Cherly,

Very complicate to rent in France specialy when you come from abroad.

This is because the demand for rent is much than offer. Convenient apartment are rapidly booked.

Also, beware :

- false ad from people

- some others selling list of apartments often already rented

Wasting money to buy these listing.

It is like this since far long time. When i first came in France for studies 30 year ago it was already like this.

If first time renting in france and you are in urgent situation,  i will recommend to look for some companies that are specialised in renting to students and young worker.

These apartments are owned by investors but are managed mostly by some companies. It is a bit more expensive but more easy to get if do not have payslip. Once in these building you can get information with neighbours about some owners that rent directly and that can be at a better price.

Also, when you reply to ad from direct owners you must give them maximum information immediately so that the later feel safe about rent payment otherwise you will not get any reply from them. In France very difficult to make a tenant go once in. So landlord give priority to tenant giving maximum gurantee on rent payment.

Example instead of saying: I am interested with your apartement is it possible to have a visit, better say :  i am scholarship holder student  or student with parent earning ....per year that with give personal gurantee for rent payment..

Kind regards

Deniso

@denisolaw

Hi Deniso,

Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed advice and for pointing out some of the difficulties newcomers should be aware of when looking for accommodation in France.

From your experience, are there any particular documents or guarantees that can make a rental application more reassuring to a landlord nowadays?

Thanks again for sharing your experience with the community.

Bhavna

Expat.com Team

I have spent hours and even days. Viewing rental houses, meeting realtors for view properties, talking and being interviewed by landlords, etc. Only to find out when I say yes - "I want to rent the property" to be told "We have a policy not to rent to foreigners"

"What? my bad french and using a google translator did not give you any idea I was a not french?

I even have an online dossier checked and verified by the French government and two French banks.  So now I start with the question, "do you rent to foreigners or will the owner you represent rent to foreigners?"

By the way, France's law about evicting over 65 (elderly) does not help renting either - I have even offered to pay a year in advice - it did not help.

@France7890 — what you were told is not a "policy", it's illegal, and it's worth knowing because it changes what you can do about it.

Article 1 of the loi du 6 juillet 1989 says it plainly: "Aucune personne ne peut se voir refuser la location d'un logement pour un motif discriminatoire défini à l'article 225-1 du code pénal." Article 225-1 of the penal code lists origin and nationality among those grounds. So "we don't rent to foreigners" is a refusal the law does not allow a landlord or an agency to make.

There is a second one people rarely know about: article 22-1 of the same law says a guarantor cannot be refused on the grounds that they are not French or do not live in metropolitan France. That blocks the usual workaround of accepting you but rejecting your garant.

The hard part is proof, not law. If it happens again:

- Ask for the refusal in writing, or send an email summarising what you were told and asking them to confirm. Most agencies will not put it in writing, and the email itself becomes your record.

- Keep the listing, your dossier and the dates.

- The Défenseur des droits handles housing discrimination, it is free, and you can file online. ANIL ([link moderated]) gives free housing advice through their départemental offices (ADIL) if you want to talk it through first.

None of this gets you the flat you wanted, and I'm sorry — the market is brutal enough without this on top. But an agency that hears "article 1 de la loi de 1989" tends to find a different reason very quickly.

@Bhavna

Hi Bhavna,

I work with international clients looking for long-term rental accommodation in France, and preparing a strong rental application is one of the most important steps, especially when moving from abroad.

A few things can make a real difference:

Having a complete application ready before contacting landlords, with proof of identity, income, employment or other supporting documents relevant to your situation.

Presenting your financial situation clearly, particularly if your income comes from abroad or you do not have a French employment contract.

Exploring suitable guarantor options if required.

Using DossierFacile, the French government service, to prepare a secure and well-organised rental application.

It is also worth explaining your circumstances from the outset, rather than waiting until the viewing stage. This can help avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.

For anyone moving from abroad, I would recommend preparing their rental dossier before they start contacting landlords, rather than waiting until they find a property they like.